Maria Karystianou, the grieving mother who became the face of the justice movement following the deadly 2023 Tempe train collision, has announced plans to launch a new political party, vowing to create a "true social opposition" to the political establishment.
In an interview with bankingnews.gr, Mrs. Karystianou said the as-yet-unnamed movement rejects traditional left-right labels in favor of a "human-centered" ideology born from public outrage over the state’s handling of the tragedy that killed 57 people.
"A mother's pain turned to strength; I won't let the guilty evade accountability," Mrs. Karystianou said.
She sharply criticized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ahead of his scheduled meeting Wednesday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
Mrs. Karystianou argued that Mr. Mitsotakis should not engage in talks while Turkey maintains an "aggressive" stance and issues navigational telexes (NAVTEX) challenging Greek sovereignty.
Beyond foreign policy, Mrs. Karystianou outlined domestic platforms, pledging to reinstate "eternal students" expelled from universities—a measure she termed "fascist"—and dismissing ridicule of anti-establishment voters often labeled conspiracy theorists.
"It is ugly to divide people," she said. "We are citizens seeking dignity."
The announcement comes as the ruling New Democracy government faces continued pressure over the stalled Tempe investigation, with Mrs. Karystianou positioning her movement as an alternative to the established opposition parties.